Aston Villa beat Manchester City 2-1 at Villa Park on Saturday, with Nicolas Jackson scoring twice to end the Premier League leaders' perfect start to the season. City arrived having won their opening seven league matches, but left with their first defeat under manager Enzo Maresca, beaten by the side that has now won this fixture at Villa Park for a fourth season in a row.

Jackson strikes early and late

Jackson opened the scoring after just six minutes, capitalising on a poor touch from City defender Marc Guehi. Villa captain John McGinn seized possession and released the striker, who cut inside before beating goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. City pushed hard for an equaliser, with goalkeeper Zion Suzuki denying Iliman Ndiaye and Rayan Cherki, and Ndiaye striking the post, but Villa held their lead into the break. Early in the second half, Erling Haaland headed home Ndiaye's cross for his ninth Premier League goal of the season to level the scores.

The winner on the hour

City almost went ahead moments later when Suzuki pushed Josko Gvardiol's effort onto the crossbar. Instead, Villa restored their lead on the hour: substitute Ibrahim Mbaye broke down the right and returned the ball to Jackson, whose first-time finish went underneath Donnarumma. It was Jackson's second goal of the afternoon and proved decisive, as Villa defended determinedly against sustained late pressure. The result keeps the title race open and extends Villa's strong run of form, while Maresca must now find a quick response to his side's first league defeat of the campaign.